When we think of holidays, it’s usually beaches, city breaks, or famous landmarks that come to mind. And while those are great, sometimes you just want something more exciting—something that feels truly your own. That’s where the idea of taking holidays with a difference comes in.
It’s about stepping away from the usual tourist trail and finding experiences that give you stories worth telling long after you’ve unpacked your bags.
Why Try a Holiday That’s a Bit Different?
Travelling in a new way helps you:
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Avoid overcrowded spots
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Dive deeper into local culture
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Make unique memories (not the same ones everyone else has)
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Come back feeling like you’ve really discovered something new
In short, holidays with a difference give you more than just photos—they give you perspective.
Ideas for Holidays with a Different Edge
Volunteer your time
If you want to combine your free time with the satisfaction of ‘giving something back’, there are many volunteering projects out there that would benefit hugely from your time and expertise. From helping to build schools and hospitals overseas, to acting as a sighted guide for a visually impaired person on holiday – or even helping clear weeds from a popular beauty spot – the list of volunteering placements and holiday projects is both long and diverse.
Hone your skills
There’s something rather delightful about taking a holiday course in a beautiful location. You could learn how to paint in Tuscany or write in the Highlands of Scotland. You could try cooking your favourite cuisine in the country it originates from, or taking part in extreme sports in a new and exhilarating place – bungee jumping in New Zealand, anyone?
Live Like a Local
Instead of a hotel, book a homestay or a farm stay. Learn how locals cook, celebrate, and live day-to-day. It’s one of the best ways to get under the skin of a destination. For example, in Tuscany, Italy, you can stay at a family-run vineyard, help harvest grapes, and enjoy homemade pasta with the owners.
Swap lives for a while
With more and more families needing to cut holiday budgets as the economy continues to recover, the idea of house swapping becomes appealing. The idea is that you stay in another family’s home in the location of your choice, allowing them to stay in yours while you are away. Clearly, this option requires an open mind and an element of trust, but when it works, it can result in a great holiday at a much lower cost, with the added bonus of making new friends around the world.
Enjoy a staycation
This word was bandied about a lot a couple of years ago, as people woke up to the potential of staying near to home (or even at home) for their annual holiday. Much is said about the phenomenon of people failing to explore what is on their very own doorstep, so what better excuse is there for doing just that than the decision to stay home and holiday in peace?
Foodie Adventures
For many of us, food is the best part of travelling. Join a cooking class abroad, explore night markets, or take a guided food tour. You’ll not only taste incredible dishes but also learn the stories behind them. Take a street food tour in Bangkok, learn to make tapas in Barcelona, or follow the wine route in South Africa’s Cape Winelands.
Plan a Trip Around Your Passion
OK, so you may not want to follow the well-walked route to Santiago de Compostela, but there are all kinds of ways to use your holiday to follow a belief, passion or hobby. Seeking out places or worship, historical sites or even sports matches or concerts by a favourite performer can add a real focus point to an otherwise generic holiday and inform your route, taking you to places you would never have dreamed of considering otherwise. For example, if you’re a music fan, you could follow a trail of historic concert venues across Europe, and history enthusiasts might find themselves captivated by Eltz Castle in Germany, a fairy-tale fortress nestled in a lush valley, or Predjama Castle in Slovenia, dramatically perched in a cliffside cave.
How to Plan Your “Different” Holiday
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Do a bit of research beyond the big-name destinations
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Ask locals for recommendations (they know the best spots!)
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Choose experiences that match your passions—be it food, culture, or adventure
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Keep an open mind—sometimes the unplanned moments are the best ones
If you’re looking for holidays with a different feel, think about what excites you most—adventure, culture, food, or simply slowing down—and build your trip around that. You might be surprised at how much more rewarding travel becomes when you choose experiences that feel personal, meaningful, and a little out of the ordinary.
Bon voyage!
